The 53rd Sakai Festival

About this event

Under the theme "A Festival to Know Sakai's Pride," the Sakai Festival began in 1974 as an all-citizen participatory celebration and marks its 53rd edition in 2026. Transforming Oshoji-suji into a pedestrian paradise, this festival is held as a participatory street festival featuring distinct attractions across various zones. Highlights are also set up in the old moat (Uchikawa riverbed) area and Daido-suji to entertain visitors. The festival's main highlight is the heroic bearing contest where large groups of men hoist futon taiko floats weighing approximately 1 ton, demonstrating lifting maneuvers ("sashiage") and spinning displays ("sashimawashi"). The sight of the drum floats swaying to the shouts of "Sorya, sorya" is packed with dynamism. In addition, during the Grand Parade staged on Oshoji-suji, a colorful procession marches through, including gunnery demonstrations by matchlock rifle corps, live matchlock firing demonstrations, Yosakoi dancing, and brass bands. Historical costume processions evoking the history of Sakai also appear, making for a spectacular view. A "Grand Tea Ceremony" unique to Sakai—the birthplace of Sen no Rikyu—is also held, where visitors can participate and taste authentic tea even without prior knowledge of tea etiquette. Regarding gourmet food, stalls featuring cuisine made with cutlery from Sakai, famous as a city of blades, are sometimes featured, and visitors can also enjoy traditional sweets such as "Kurumi Mochi" and the famous "Sakai Okonomiyaki".

Venue

Sakai City Hall Front Plaza (Mina Sakai)

2-1-15 Nakakawaracho, Sakai Ward, Sakai, Osaka 590-0078